Ryan Waldschmidt hits game-winning 2-run HR with 2 outs in 9th to send D-backs past Cubs 5-4
Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Corbin Carroll makes a diving catch on a line drive hit by Chicago Cubs' Pedro Ramírez during the second inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, in Phoenix. Credit: AP/Ross D. Franklin
PHOENIX — Pinch-hitter Ryan Waldschmidt hit a game-winning, two-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks rallied to stun the Chicago Cubs 5-4 on Tuesday night.
The D-backs pulled one game behind the San Diego Padres for the final NL wild-card spot.
Trailing 4-3 in the ninth, Tim Tawa coaxed a one-out walk from Jacob Webb to start the decisive rally. Ildemaro Vargas flew out to right field for the second out before pinch-runner Jose Fernandez stole second base. Waldschmidt — a rookie — then launched a no-doubt homer over the left field fence to set off a raucous celebration.
It was Waldschmidt's second walk-off homer of the season.
Arizona trailed 4-0 in the eighth before mounting a two-out rally against reliever Daniel Palencia. Gabriel Moreno hit a check swing RBI double that hugged the first base line and stayed fair before Geraldo Perdomo's two-run single cut the deficit to 4-3. Webb relieved Palencia and coaxed a ground out from Max Kepler to end the threat.
Ian Happ hit a three-run homer in the fourth to push the Cubs ahead 3-0. Michael Busch's RBI single in the sixth made it 4-0. Busch and Seiya Suzuki both had two hits.
The D-backs' rally ruined a great outing for Clay Holmes, who breezed through the D-backs' lineup, giving up two singles and two walks while striking out five over seven scoreless innings. The right-hander has given up just one earned run over his past 19 innings, spanning three starts.
Chicago Cubs pitcher Clay Holmes (25) celebrates retiring the Arizona Diamondbacks with Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya, left, during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, in Phoenix. Credit: AP/Ross D. Franklin
Arizona's Brandon Pfaadt (7-2) gave up four runs on six hits and two walks, striking out three. He didn't allow a hit over the first three innings, but gave up a single and a double in the fourth before Happ's three-run homer.
Up next
The D-backs send LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (13-4, 2.61 ERA) to the mound to face Cubs LHP Matthew Boyd (8-2, 4.15).
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